>>5540852Towa’s smirk returns and she sips her tea. She doesn’t even have to say it. And… you can get the implied threat as she looks to you. But you refuse to let her get a rise out of you. “Okay, even with that aside, this could still just be an attempt to build up forces. I… look, maybe you and Beelzebub can come to a compromise too. You want your throne back, I get that, but just as you might have those willing to follow you, so does your son. While I get that his power isn’t absolute, neither is yours.” You place your hands down on the table, leaning a bit closer. “Is it possible to split the Demon Realm temporarily, at the very least? You don’t need to throw your followers at each other and just bring out more death and destruction. In fact, you can get your Kingdom, and Beelzebub can get… a Princedom of sorts, glory to one, peace to the other. Allow a non-aggression pact that-”
“You can’t seriously believe what you’re saying, can you?” Towa questions. “Splitting the realm? Absurd. The prince here would still look weak, and Dabura would give up a fraction of his rightful power. A non-aggression pact? Please, you know full well that wouldn’t last. You come here giving criticism for our ideas and offer this as an alternative?” Towa looks down her nose at you. “You know, you really are the most predictable and boring of your little group.”
Dabura raises his hand again to calm her. “Ease, sister. You know… the little one brings up an interesting idea.”
Towa’s taken aback. “What?”
“Not splitting the Demon Realm’s sovereignty, no. But… I would not be opposed to you setting up your own territory, son.”
“...What?” is the phrase echoed among the three of you at the meeting, and then all the rest.
There’s a suave and almost smug tone to Dabura’s voice as he explains, “If you wish your followers to stay with you, those who are truly loyal to you, you may take them. Establish a princedom of your own for them. Hand me back the throne, and I will let you have this. With no need for a conflict.”
Beelzebub is… conflicted. That does almost match what you were trying to get, just… not the way you wanted it. And yet it’s clear to the Demon Prince that might be the best deal his father will offer. And then your brother messages you back. ‘King Kai found the joke exceptionally funny, and passed it around to his higher-ups.’
Finally. The Kais are aware of this. But… now what?
>A. Keep stalling, as much as you can, until they’re actually here>B. How exactly am I the “most predictable and boring”, Towa?>C. …Maybe this really is the best deal you can get, Prince Beelzebub>D. Okay you’re honestly out of stalling tactics, let someone else take over>E. Something else? 